Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s refusal to support former US President Donald Trump’s push for a Nobel Peace Prize reportedly played a pivotal role in souring India-US ties, according to The New York Times.
During a June 17 phone call, Trump asked Modi to endorse his nomination, citing his claim of brokering peace between India and Pakistan. Modi, however, dismissed the request, clarifying that the ceasefire had been directly agreed upon by New Delhi and Islamabad without US mediation.
The rebuff, according to the report, marked a turning point in bilateral relations. Weeks later, Washington imposed steep tariffs on India—25% reciprocal duties along with an additional 25% penalty over discounted Russian oil purchases, amounting to a 50% levy.
Since the call, Modi and Trump have not spoken, and Trump is expected to skip the upcoming Quad Summit in India. The NYT report, based on interviews with over a dozen officials in Washington and New Delhi, also noted that Modi turned down Trump’s invitation to visit Washington after the G7 Summit in Canada, wary that the former president might attempt to engineer an awkward encounter with Pakistan’s Army Chief.
Indian officials later grew cautious about further calls, fearing Trump would publicize details on Truth Social regardless of diplomatic sensitivities. While Trump reportedly tried several times to reconnect, Modi did not respond. The White House has denied these outreach attempts, the report added.
